10.06.2018

The 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization begins in the city of Qingdao. 

The leaders of countries first met in a narrow format.

The meeting was opened by the President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping. He welcomed the heads of states, spoke about the current authority and prestige of the SCO, the work carried out by China during the chairmanship in the organization. 

The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev addressed the summit. He noted that a very fruitful work was carried out during the chairmanship of China in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. 

“Our Summit in the beautiful city of Qingdao will go down in history as the first meeting of leaders of the “Shanghai eight”. This is deeply symbolic, because the number “8” among Chinese people means luck and prosperity. 

Our Organization has more than one and a half billion people, the economic and intellectual potential has significantly expanded”, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 

The President of Uzbekistan noted the strengthening role of the SCO as an important mechanism for formation of regional and global policies, ensuring security and sustainable development of the Eurasian continent. He emphasized that participation in the activities of the SCO as full members of such powers as India and Pakistan opens new opportunities for further development and deepening of full-scale cooperation. 

One of the key factors for achieving the basic goals of the organization and solving the challenges it faces is stability and prosperity of Central Asia. At the initiative and thanks to the political will of the President of Uzbekistan, in a short time, it became possible to make significant progress in resolving acute regional problems, including border, trade, transport and water use issues. 

Achievement of peace in Afghanistan, promotion of its socio-economic development remains an important condition for ensuring regional security. This issue is also under the constant attention of the leadership of Uzbekistan. The recently held international conference on Afghanistan in Tashkent became an important platform for exchanging views on peaceful settlement of the conflict. 

“We perfectly understand that peace in Afghanistan is stability and prosperity of the whole region. I am confident that within the framework of the “SCO – Afghanistan” Contact Group we are able to make a significant contribution to ensuring peaceful development of Afghanistan”, said Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 

Issues of further expansion of relations between the member states of the organization were discussed at the meeting. 

The President of Uzbekistan forwarded a number of initiatives on development of socio-economic cooperation in this vast region, increasing its transport and logistic potential, strengthening cultural and humanitarian ties, protecting youth from ideas of extremism and other current issues.

• 
• 
•